Jimmie Dodd
Jimmie Dodd | |
|---|---|
Dodd as a Mouseketeer on The Mickey Mouse Club, circa 1956 | |
| Born | James Wesley Dodd March 28, 1910 Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. |
| Died | November 10, 1964 (aged 54) Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, singer-songwriter |
| Years active | 1937–1959 |
| Spouse |
Ruth Carrell (m. 1940) |
James Wesley Dodd (March 28, 1910 – November 10, 1964) was an American actor, singer, and songwriter best known as the master of ceremonies for the popular 1950s Walt Disney television series The Mickey Mouse Club, as well as the writer of its well-known theme song, "The Mickey Mouse Club March". A different version of this march, much slower in tempo and with different lyrics, became the alma mater that closed each episode.
Dodd grew up in Cincinnati. where he was an outstanding amateur tennis player, even reaching the round of 16 twice at his hometown tournament, now known as the Cincinnati Open. Later, a heart ailment made him ineligible to serve in combat in World War II, but his wife Ruth and he traveled extensively, entertaining the troops.